Improvement in folding tables



J. D. HALL.

Folding-Tables.

Patented July 14, 1874.

THE GRAPH O'CO.PHOTO-LITH.39&4I PARK FLAG UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. HALL, OF BROOKLYN, NE YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MARY E. J. HALL, OF SAMEPLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING TABLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No- 1 52,947, dated July14, 1874; application filed February 2, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN D. HALL, of Brooklyn, in the county of Kingsand State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Tables, ofwhich the following is a specification This invention relates to theconstruction of a table principally for the use of ladies while cutting,basting, and trimming their garments, in such manner that when notneeded for use it can be quickly and conveniently folded up into a smallcompass=and laid away.

It is designed to supersede the inconvenient lap-board which is now incommon use, and when intended for this purpose is constructed abouttwenty-three inches in height, two feet wide, and four feet long.

My improvementis applicable, also, to the construction of tables forpaper-hangers use, childrens use and amusement, and camping and allother purposes for which folding or portable tables are desirable.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the inverted table. Fig. 2 is a sectionalview of the table on line as .r. Fig. 3 is a side view of the table whenfolded. Fig. 4is a sectional view of the same on the line y y. Fig. 5 isa sectional view of a portion of the table on the line 2 2, Fig. 1.

The pairs of legs B B and B B are attached rigidly together by rungs O Oand O O, as shown in the drawings, or in any other suitable manner, andare hinged or pivoted to the parts of the top A and A by means of anysuitable hinges or pivots (Z (Z d d, in such a manner as to admit oftheir being folded down to the top, as shown in Fig. 3. When the tableis unfolded for use, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the said legs are heldrigidly in position perpendicular to the top by means of the hingedbraces a and a, the stops 9 and g, and the pins f and f, strikingagainst the staples E and E.

1t will be seen that the legs of the table shown in the drawings arehinged to the top by means of simple metallic pins or pivots cl, driventhrough the ribs D and D, and into the already combined legs and rungs.The ribs D and D I attach to the top A and A by driving themlongitudinally into a dovetailing groove, as shown in Fig. 5, only theends of the ribs next to the central joint J for a distance of some fourinches being glued or nailed to the top. This arrangement obviates alltendency in the table to warp or strain apart through the shrinking orexpanding of the parts.

The two halves of the table A and A are hinged together with anysuitable hinges h, and, when the table is spread for use, are secured inthe straight position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by means of the hooks b andb.

To unfold the table, open the legs first; then straighten out the top,and, lastly, join the hooks b and b. To fold it, simply reverse thesethree operations.

It will be seen that when the top is straightened out, each brace, a anda, is automatically blocked or stopped in one direction by the stops 9and g, each being attached to the opposite half of the top, and in theother direction by the pins f and f striking against the staples E andE. Instead of the pins ff I sometimes employ a suitable knob orprojection formed upon the braces.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the table-top A and Aand the folding legs B and B, of the braces a and a, provided with thepins f and f, the stops g and g, and the staples E and E, substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of the hooks b b and b b and the hinged parts A andA, substantiall y as and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN D. HALL.

Witnesses:

WM. J. TOLKERT, D. B. BARNUM.

